I can tell you as someone who works in the criminal justice system that marijuana is already legal. I can't think of anyone who was been charged in the city I work in with marijuana possession. As long as you don't have mare than 42.5 grams of marijuana in your possession, it is not a something that will get charged.

I think the whole reason that the goverment has a problem legalizing it is because they can't put a tax on it and because they more people that are in jail for it the more money they can make and lives that they can ruin. I am a mediacl marijuana user as well and i can tell you this much there is no medicins out there that could even help with my pain but using marijuana has helped alot and made my life easier to live

Hey it's a completely naturally occurring substance which must have been created for a reason with multiple benefits which cannot be adequately synthesized and which doesn't have the horrid side effects of drug-company products.

I can tell you as someone who works in the criminal justice system that marijuana is already legal. I can't think of anyone who was been charged in the city I work in with marijuana possession. As long as you don't have mare than 42.5 grams of marijuana in your possession, it is not a something that will get charged.

That's good to hear but surprisingly, the puritanical mindset of Minnesotans doesn't allow them the freedom for better thinking.

It's a great idea. Less money spent on enforcement, more room in our jails for people who commit "real crimes" , crimes against people. Marijuana is far more safe than many other drugs which are currently being used. Passing this bill would be the first sign of common sense from our policitians in a long time.

I can tell you as someone who works in the criminal justice system that marijuana is already legal. I can't think of anyone who was been charged in the city I work in with marijuana possession. As long as you don't have mare than 42.5 grams of marijuana in your possession, it is not a something that will get charged.

It is the riff-raff buyers coming down the street. There was a suspected seller in our neighborhood a few years back and our neighborhood burglaries and thefts spiked. Then the owners of the suspected house sold and the crime disappeared.

Busting folks for small amounts is what keeps cops in the $$$,allowing for more of a POLICE STATE!It's time we reschedule marijuana.Let's recognize the weed as a less harmful alternative to alcohol, etc."War on drugs" is stupid anyway,what a waste of $$$.Responsible Cannabis use by adults will be legal soon,& legal medical marijuana is the first step in the right direction.Other states like Oregon & Wash,have shown that change can happen,but must get it right!!!Have a great day......

It's all about the money folks. Don't listen to these cops.....they're all a bunch of liars trying to keep a grip on something that brings them a lot of Federal money. These are the same cops that told us that there would be shoot outs over parking spots when they legalized conceal carry and it never happened.

Maybe if the Minnesota Highway patrol would start each shift with a few hits of medicinal weed, they would be less inclined to take out a father and his 2 children with a bumper bash, over a perceived sloppy lane change. The Gopher State , up tight police depts. need to mellow out over this one Marijuana needs to be completely legalized and this is a good first step. The millions of dollars and thousands of hours spent trying to enforce the existing laws is totally wasted. Legalize it, tax it and earmark the revenue for treatment of those few who abuse the use of it. This country found out that Prohibition of alcohol did not work. It just led to a higher crime rate. The same is true about Marijuana. Now I know, some of you are saying there goes another pot head spouting off. Well I have chosen not to ever use the stuff. Having been in college in the 60's it was readily available. Having had a class 3 narcotcs licsense I had most everything available to me and never once used any illegal drugs or perscripton drugs. I think The U.S.society is upside down on this one!

When's the last time somebody overdosed on kind bud? Cops or anyone else in the law enforcement / prosecution business should not be allowed to comment on the subject of legalization. Period. It is a gross conflict of interested. It's like asking a short-statured man to hand over his F-150 with a 6-inch lift. Of course, he's going to squirm.

Nobody has ever died from an overdose of Marijuana!We cant say the same about liquor, asprin, and other otc medicatons. The state could also make a lot of money by legalizing it. It is no different (except safer), than a person having a cocktail after work, or smoking a joint in the privacy of there own home. People wont listen to the reports of all the good things medically marijuana can also help with.

Let me get this straight, the police chief says that someone suffering from cancer would be less likely to commit a crime because they can legally obtain pot?

The problem with this bill is what can it be rx'd for, depression? headaches are we ready for high school kids to legally posses pot at school? and get high at lunch?

Whats the indications?, whats the dose? whats the side effects? whats the drug interactions? and what is the long term side effects of pot? If the FDA wont approve other meds without knowing this info why would a bunch of politicians be able to?

Just Wondering if all members of law enforcement are liars (M. Campions testimony which was systematicly rebuked), cheaters (County Attorney "where have you gone" Jim Backstrom leader of the opposition and under investigation by the lawyers professional responsibility board for threatening witnesses) or just stupid (Tony "Wyatt Erpp" Corni$h). Gentleman you are collectively embarrasing yourselves. Why do you think they call you dopes?

Hey, Tony. I read the bill. Nowhere does it say that people can get marijuana for depression or headaches. Why would they? You can already get powerful, deadly narcotics for that.As for the FDA, aren't they the folks who approved the Vioxx that killed 5,000 people? Aren't they folks who couldn't keep us safe from bad peanut butter?I'll take word of the American College of Physicians, which endorses medical marijuana, over the foot dragging of a broken federal agency anyday.

Ok then what indication does the bill say pot can be used for?

And if I follow your logic then we should eliminate the FDA and just let the public and politicians decide what drugs can be approved, that would be an improvement right?

You cite a couple of drugs the FDA pulled off the market after approval, yet tens of thousands have been succesfully studied and safely approved, good argument!

Glad to see that the law enforcement community in Minnesota is just as rabidly against legalization of medicinal marijuana as they are here in South Dakota! Makes me feel not quite so alone in my frustration.

Typical cop thinking...or lack there of. Unfortunately, most, NOT ALL, but most cops will follow the written law, blindly, to the letter without ever thinking about it. Well, thats fine. Its your job. But lets stick to the job. Frankly, we don't really care to know your opinion as a professional. We PAY YOU to ENFORCE the law, not to set it. If a law changes, by the will of the people, then you uphold that law. No one cares what your official position is. Just do what your told. Let the lawmaking be left to the citizens. Which by the way, you are one also. Just take off the badge and give us your TRUE opinion and not the opinion of the machine!

are we ready for high school kids to legally posses pot at school? and get high at lunch?

we would treat this just like we treat all other prescription medications that come into the schools. The students need to check them in with the nurse and she doles them out. If we catch the kids with their medicine we confiscate it.(in this case I hope I catch them wink wink!)

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